OFFSHORE law firm Appleby has appointed Tim Swift to the position of associate in the Litigation and Insolvency team in the Isle of Man.
Tim, an English solicitor who is now also a Manx Advocate, has 25 years experience in all forms of civil litigation having acted for private, commercial and union clients.
He has worked both in private practice and in the legal department of a leading insurance company where he dealt with disputes involving the provision of financial services.
Although experienced in a broad range of civil disputes he specialises in personal injury and professional negligence claims.
From 2000, Tim combined running a busy private practice in Liverpool with being a Deputy District Judge.
There is no equivalent to District Judges in the Manx legal system.
Tim said: "They are often considered the judicial 'work horses' in the English system.
"You can be hearing an arbitration involving a consumer claim over a defective washing machine one day and, the next, deciding a large personal injury claim involving an accident at work involving thousands of pounds in compensation.
"In between cases, you deal with the management of claims through the court process.
"So, as you can see, it was very interesting work! There is a lot of competition for an appointment: for every position as a Deputy District Judge there are around 100 applicants, so I was very fortunate to be appointed.
"I had to hone my time management skills, as I would be out of the office for a number of days each month, sitting in various courts in the North West."
Tim explained why he left his private practice and judicial position in the UK to become a trainee advocate in the Isle of Man and sit the first professional exams he'd faced in 27 years.
He said: "The two reasons were lifestyle and challenge. It is without doubt that the lifestyle here on the Isle of Man is far better here than in the UK. The Island is simply beautiful and the people are so friendly.
"On the challenge front, why not? I've always been a glutton for punishment and what's difficult about learning a new legal system and laws in 12 months (two years if you are not a barrister or solicitor already) whilst holding down a full time job?
"It's nothing more than every other Advocate has had to do! I have now qualified as a Manx Advocate and have a new life here. Do I regret my move? Not one bit!"
Upon joining the Litigation and Insolvency team in the Isle of Man, Tim has taken on the conduct of a number of high profile serious personal injury and fatality cases on the behalf of defendant insurers, commercial disputes in the financial services sector and professional negligence claims.
He added: "Since joining I have been impressed by the service the team at Appleby can offer, although I had an inkling of this beforehand as that was the reason I wanted to become part of one of the leading legal firms on the Island. For example, one matter I've handled concerned a product liability claim by a Spanish national: it involved the sorts of issues you would normally only come across at a leading London firm. Here it's all in a day's work."
Managing partner of Appleby's Isle of Man office, Sean Dowling, said: "I am delighted to welcome Tim to the Isle of Man.
"He brings with him a wealth of litigation and judicial experience: now a qualified Manx advocate, Tim's skills will certainly be invaluable to the Appleby team."
